The Kingdom of God (like any other kingdom) represents the realm of God’s (the King’s) authority in the lives of its subjects/people and territory it rules. It is the realm within which God’s authority and will are exacted and is entered into by way of the new birth only (John 3:3). It is here and now (Luke 17:21) and populated by those who have been redeemed by Christ (Colossians 1:13, Rev 1:5 – 6).

In Matthew 6:33 The Lord Jesus established seeking God’s kingdom and His righteousness as the priority, the primary pursuit of our lives:

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

This seeking of God’s kingdom authority is also expressed in the prayer the Lord Jesus taught us alongside another all important component, His will (Matthew 6:10):

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Establishing the seeking of God’s Kingdom and His righteousness as the primary pursuit of our lives is achieved on three levels.

Level one consists of allowing the King’s authority to invade and permeate all areas of our own personal lives. It is when we are invaded and overwhelmed by the authority of the King and the agenda of His kingdom we are able to subsequently serve as productive vessels for its rapid and progressive propagation through our lives.

It is when we are increasingly submitted to the King’s authority in our personal lives that we become, in direct proportion, increasingly useful and productive in the advancement of God’s kingdom that shall never be destroyed.

Where the King’s authority in our lives is compromised so too will the promulgation of His Kingdom in and through us. Our usefulness in God’s Kingdom is directly proportional to submission to His authority in our personal lives. There is and cannot be any dissociation or dichotomy here as bearing fruit that lasts is only possible when we abide in Christ, submit to His authority in our personal lives.

If there is one thing that the return of Jesus awaits it is the preaching of the gospel of this magnificent kingdom throughout the world (Matthew 24:14). That feat is hastened and accomplished as the authority of the King increases and spreads in the lives of the citizens already in it.

That is why the command to, “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness” is an ongoing attitude we need adopt and daily work on. Daily seeking His authority to be established more and more in our lives and in everything we do. It is this all-pervading establishment of His authority over our entire lives that is guaranteed to propel us to maximum usefulness and productivity in God’s Kingdom. Without this most fundamental of foundations it is unthinkable, wholly impossible to serve God and be of use to His Kingdom that we are to actively seek and promote.

Our seeking God’s kingdom first does not stop once we have discovered it for ourselves via our new birth. After being born again, the next, ongoing phase (until its consummation at the coming of Jesus Christ) is bringing every aspect of our life under the authority of the King.